When the woods is Brothers Grimm scary was sort of far out, fun and freaky, so here’s another peculiar collection where spectacular flocks inspired some photographers to think of Alfred Hitchcock‘s The Birds or Edgar Allen Poe‘s The Raven. Flocks can be beautiful, peaceful but then . . . when the birds are scary? [60 Photos, 2 Videos]

Let’s not forget Edgar Allen Poe if we are thinking about spooky birds. The Raven: Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary, — Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore — While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping, — As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door. — “’Tis some visiter,” I muttered, “tapping at my chamber door — Only this and nothing more.” Photo #10 by jhoc

Surely not a flock of crows attacking a farm building? The birds in Southern Story County, Iowa, USA. Photo #11 by Carl Wycoff

The Birds while quoting Edgar Allen Poe. Like H. P. Lovecraft, Edgar Allen Poe in the 19th century—has exerted ‘an incalculable influence on succeeding generations of writers of horror fiction.’ Raven: Then this ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling, — By the grave and stern decorum of the countenance it wore, — Though thy crest be shorn and shaven, thou,” I said, “art sure no craven, — Ghastly grim and ancient Raven wandering from the Nightly shore — Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night’s Plutonian shore!” Quoth the Raven “Nevermore.” Photo #18 by *Kicki*

Left: “Around dusk,” wrote the photographer, “thousands of grackles swarm around downtown Houston before descending to roost in trees around the Wortham Center. They fly in some crazy formations. It’s quite a sight to behold.” Right: Civic Center Inn, San Francisco. Photo #23 by Adam Baker & #24 by nahlinse

Sydney – Bats at dusk. The photographer noted, “Every dusk the flock of fruit bats/Flying foxes camping in the Royal Botanic Gardens next to the Opera House fly out to feed on fruit/nectar/pollen. There has been a flock of approx 3000 living there since 1989.” Photo #44 by Naddsy

The Raven on a tombstone in graveyard. Poe wrote, “And the Raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting — On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door; And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon’s that is dreaming, — And the lamp-light o’er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor; And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor — Shall be lifted — nevermore!” Photo #59 by Mike Hiatt

Just in case you’ve never been made to memorize Poe’s dark poem, The Raven written by Edgar Allan Poe. “Read by James Earl Jones. Effects and music added, as well as images related to the raven. A fan video made by a fellow poet.” Video #2 by BeyondTheDarkness09